Learning to speak the English language can go a long way towards breaking the cycle of poverty. It can mean a higher education. It often precedes all things that can lead to success in life. Experts say the best way to begin is when you are young.
    Sunday Monday...Tuesday...Wednesday...Thursday

It may look like an average preschool class, but the kids in the Anchorage Literacy Program are learning a lot more than just the days of the week.

"What day is today, Ballantina? Tuesday? Tuesday! What day is today, Otto?" said preschool teacher, Milagros Bryant to students.

For most, it's an early lesson in English.

"They learn to talk in English and they have a small or large vocabulary and they feel comfortable when they are in school," said Bryant.

The children in this class speak Russian, Korean and Spanish. Their parents, who are in a classroom just down the hall, come from every corner of the world. Several days a week, several hours a day, you can find them at the Anchorage Literacy Project, participating in a program called Family Impact Literacy where the idea is to help families break the cycle of illiteracy by teaching them the skills they'll need to succeed.

"Many parents come here because it's hard as an adult

Advertisement
to start all over again. And they come because of their children and they give up very much to come and to give their children what they want. And so they know that learning English is their passport to a better life," said the director of the Anchorage Literacy Project, Polly Smith.

Teachers say the kids are often the fastest learners, but the best is when parents and kids come together. Parents take regular breaks from their classrooms to visit with their children and test their new skills.

Some of them, like Soledad Lescas, have been through the program before with an older sibling.

"When I came here I didn't understand English. I don't speak nothing English and I can't write," said a program parent, Lescas.

Now she says her goal is not only for her children to some day attend university, but herself as well. And she knows that English is the key for both of them.

"We need to learn the English. It's very important for both the parents and the kids. It's very important," said Lescas.

We want to let you know the Anchorage Literacy Project is always looking for volunteers. You don't need any special skills, other than to be fluent in English and a have a desire to help others.

For More Information: (907) 337-1981

To contact Lauren, call 907-273-3186.